I did not drink the moonshine. It laid waiting in the tall grass, perched like a Halloween ghoul, replete with sharp teeth and halitosis. I had nearly tripped over the spectral glass vessel on my jaunty rounds between bonfire and beer stack (no need for a cooler at 30 degrees Fahrenheit). As the night wore on and my steps grew increasingly jagged, the bootleg hooch beckoned with increasing seduction. Indifferent to the booze’s wanton provocation, I went into the house to see if my girl was still there. Not finding her, I was greeted by a festive tray piled with “pity poppers”. The basis for the appetizer’s charmingly self-deprecating sobriquet was far more apparent last night during my euphoric inebriation. Nonetheless, my winsome neighbor’s stuffed jalapenos were a smashing success. The experience set me to planning to stuff something…..with chili.

Ingredients:

1 T butter

10 oz raw white mushrooms

3 T finely diced sweet red pepper

2 T finely diced yellow pepper

3 cloves garlic, smashed

2 T finely diced white onion

1 T chili powder

½ t paprika

½ t cumin

1/3 C coarsely ground pretzels

1/3 C cubed cheese (mixture of cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack)

Directions:

Remove the stems from the mushrooms.

Dice the stems and sauté them in butter along with peppers, garlic, onion, and spices- about 5 minutes.

Add pretzels and cheese, sauté for 3 minutes.

Place inverted mushrooms caps onto a baking sheet.

Scoop the sautéed mixture into mushroom caps and bake for 10 minutes at 425.

Chili Stuffed Mushrooms

Tasting Notes:

It doesn’t happen often, but the Involuntary Taste Panel offered up some sincere compliments. Mrs. Chili365, The Pirate, and Chili Jr absolutely loved the chili stuffed mushrooms. I found them to be quite tasty- a zesty appetizer with a wealth of cheese, pepper, and chili flavor. The notes of onion and garlic were welcomed and earthy. Chili is almost exclusively considered a main course. It is refreshing to see it make a splash as finger food.

3 Responses to Chili Stuffed Mushrooms

🙂 So different than anything I would have guessed – and your story, so funny! The pretzels have to be the kicker here!

I must say I’m glad your Involuntary Tasting Panel enjoyed these…I had a momentary fear of being a party, in any small way, to the invention of a Chili stuffed mushroom – visions, perhaps, of being hunted down for for such a thing being inflicted upon the IVP. Especially that Pre. Of course, tell him I’m only kidding.

You went way beyond all expectation – I can see more inventiveness in my own future! Your wild abandon has made me feel a bit stodgy!

Thank you immensely for providing the template for the awesome appetizer. The pretzels were a desperate move by a desperate man. In the end, it all worked out.
Don’t worry about a thing, any blame for the chili experiment squarely falls on my shoulders. No one else can take the rap (or wrath) but me.
It is always a joy to see what you’ve come up with. I am looking forward to seeing what is next.